The No. 24 Wolfpack (8-4) opened as 7-point favorites over ASU (7-5), but Chubb's availability obviously makes a difference. He suffered a dislocated finger Nov. 11 against Boston College that still is an issue.

"We’re getting into some film study," ASU guard Sam Jones said. "They’re definitely a talented team, and it’s going to be a really fun game to play in. Their defense is one of the better ones we’ve played this year, at least up front. They’ve got a lot of talent coming back. They’re definitely going to be a challenge for us, but I’m excited.

"Obviously they’ve got Chubb on the edge. He’s a problem guy. You’ve got to be accountable for him. The rest of their guys up front are real big, long, talented guys, so it’s going to be a fun game."

Chubb, a 6-4, 275-pound senior All-America, is No. 8 nationally in sacks and No. 2 in tackles for loss. ESPN analyst Todd McShay projects him as the No. 3 overall draft pick behind quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen. He won the Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end and is ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

"It's a unique opportunity for our players to prove themselves and play against a quality player," offensive coordinator Billy Napier said. "There's no question when you play a guy like that on the front, you have to have a plan for him. But they have other significant players. They start four seniors on the front and they've got quality depth behind them. It's as good of a front seven as we've played against."

Tackles B.J .Hill and Justin Jones and end Kentavius Street are North Carolina State's other senior starting defensive linemen.

Early signing day nears

Napier said he is talking with new head coach Herm Edwards every few days in preparation for the early recruiting signing period that begins Wednesday.

Edwards has been out recruiting all this week and also is believed to be interviewing candidates for his defensive staff.

"This is the first time for everybody," with early signing, Napier said. "I've made several calls to friends in different areas of the country (about approach and strategy). What we've seen in the west coast in particular and our footprint with the (coaching) change at Oregon and UCLA, we're seeing more and more young people push back their decision until February, and rightfully so.

"But at the same time, there's some of these kids that have good relationships here and they will go ahead and sign. We'll reassess where we're at after the 20th, then develop a strategy going forward."

Napier and offensive assistants John Simon, Rob Likens and Rob Sale are returning under Edwards. Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett is not, by his choice. Decisions on the other defensive assistants have yet to be announced.

Napier said the reception for Edwards during in-home visits "has been great."

"Immediately his name and his presence registers with them," Napier said. "They know who he is, they watched him on TV, they remember him as a coach and a player. It will be a great experience for me and an awesome benefit for our players."

Edwards is not planning to attend the Sun Bowl out of respect for outgoing coach Todd Graham.

There does not appear to be any traction behind reports that Texas Tech's David Gibbs and former UCLA head coach Jim Mora are candidates to become ASU's defensive coordinator. Later Thursday, Texas Tech announced a two-year contract extension for Gibbs.

Quick hits

ASU is scheduled to practice Friday and Saturday before taking a holiday break. The Sun Devils leave for El Paso on Dec. 25 and will have their final three bowl practices there ahead of the fifth bowl game in six seasons under Graham.

Dec 29, 2017: North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Nyheim Hines (7) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils defense in the 2017 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Ivan Pierre Aguirre/USA TODAY Sports

Dec 29, 2017: Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham looks at his during warmups before facing the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2017 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Ivan Pierre Aguirre/USA TODAY Sports

Dec 29, 2017: North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Nyheim Hines (7) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils defense in the 2017 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Ivan Pierre Aguirre/USA TODAY Sports

Dec 29, 2017: Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham looks at his during warmups before facing the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2017 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Ivan Pierre Aguirre/USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State wide receiver N’Keal Harry lifts Pearla Ortega, 5, of Van Horn, for a photo during a team visit Tuesday to El Paso Children’s Hospital. The Sun Devils handed out signed caps and other items to many young patients. North Carolina State players visited The Hospitals of Providence Children's Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The two teams will meet in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday. To read a profile on Harry, see Page B1. For more photos from the teams’ activities Tuesday, visit elpasotimes.com. RUDY GUTIERREZ/EL PASO TIMES

Phoebe Bautista is greeted by North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb during a team visit Tuesday to The Hospitals of Providence Children’s Hospital. Arizona State players visited El Paso Children’s Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The two teams will meet in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday. For more on Chubb, see Page B1. RUDY GUTIERREZ/EL PASO TIMES

Arizona State head football coach Todd Graham dances with a folklorico dancer after ASU arrived at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

Arizona State head football coach Todd Graham dances with a folklorico dancer after ASU arrived at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

Hyundai Sun Bowl sponsor and former El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser greets Arizona State football players as ASU arrives at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

Arizona State head football coach Todd Graham dances with a folklorico dancer after ASU arrived at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

ASU defensive lineman Tashon Smallwood arrives with the team at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

Arizona State linebacker Khaylan Thomas dances with folklorico dancers after ASU arrived at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

Arizona State football players arrive at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

Arizona State football players arrive at El Paso International Airport on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times

Folklorico dancers perform inside the Atlantic Aviation hangar at the El Paso International Airport for the Arizona State football team on Monday, December 25, 2017. ASU plays North Carolina State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Friday, December 29, 2017. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times